Earl of Derby Wins 11-Year Battle for 400 Homes and School in Newmarket

Earl of Derby Wins 11-Year Planning Battle for 400 Homes and School

The Earl of Derby has achieved a major victory in a planning battle lasting 11 years. Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, has secured approval to build 400 homes and a primary school next to the Sheikh of Dubai’s stud farm in Newmarket. This approval concludes a prolonged and contentious planning process.

Since 2009, the Earl of Derby has pursued his goal to develop the Hatchfield Stud Farm. His £45 million plan faced strong opposition from Newmarket’s jockey community. They feared that the development would negatively impact the town’s prestigious horse racing industry, which is crucial to the local economy.

The Newmarket Horsemen’s Group raised concerns that the development would worsen existing traffic problems and threaten the horse racing sector. They argued that the project could lower the value of horses and create risks for riders. Additionally, they claimed that the proposed benefits were overstated.

Initially, the plans were rejected. However, a revised proposal submitted in October 2013 gained approval from the Forest Heath District Council. Subsequently, Sajid Javid, the then-Local Government Secretary, overturned this decision in 2016. This led to two public inquiries and a High Court case in 2017. Recently, Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, gave the final approval.

The report released this week highlights that the Secretary of State considered the delivery of new homes, including affordable units, to be highly significant. Furthermore, the report noted that there was no evidence suggesting that horse trainers would relocate from Newmarket due to the new development.

Overall, this decision resolves a long-standing planning dispute. It shows the difficulty in balancing local concerns with broader community needs. The development is expected to have a notable impact on local housing and infrastructure.